A Practical Guide for Sponsors

Sponsorship Handbook

In response to many inquiries, we have compiled a handbook as a guide for those who are sponsoring refugees to Canada. Lifeline Syria’s handbook focuses on the first year, after the refugee family has arrived in Canada. It is not about the planning leading up to arrival. Sponsors who are in the early stages will find help from our presentations and from Refugee Sponsorship Training Program’s Handbook. There may be refinements in our handbook over the next few days but we are now pleased to provide you with a draft version.

Newcomers will find useful information about immigration and citizenship, housing, health, employment, education, community and legal services all translated into Arabic at settlement.org. Citizenship and Immigration Canada has also produced a booklet called Welcome to Canada which is available in Arabic here.

Sharing Forum for Sponsor Groups

Lifeline Syria has set up a Sponsor Forum which allows Lifeline Syria sponsor group members to share information, and encouragement, get and give advice, hear about the experiences of other sponsors and share their own best practices. Register now

Note: There will be a short delay before you are approved. ***We regret that the scope of this project can’t be extended to the general public: access to the Forum will only be granted to members of Lifeline Syria Sponsor Groups.***

Other Settlement Resources

As a service to newcomers to Toronto the municipal government has recently launched its Refugee Resettlement Program website. Here is where you’ll be connected to Information Fairs, Settlement Workers, Housing Support, Health Care, Employment Assistance and a brochure for newcomers.

The government of Canada also has a site with information about how to welcome Syrian refugees: Donate. Volunteer. Sponsor. All Canadians can help welcome Syrian refugees. With the suggestions contained in this website you can help make a difference in their lives in a number of different ways – small and large. Let’s all get involved!

The Ontario Government has an excellent resource: Syrian Refugees: How you Can Help. Ontario stands with the world, ready to do its part to help thousands of Syrian families displaced by war, settle here safely. With so many generous offers of support from communities across the province — together, we will make a difference.

Production of this resource has been made possible through a financial contribution from The Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade (MCIIT). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of MCIIT.